RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Why Guardians have complicated dilemma with 27 home run prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Cleveland Guardians do not hit many home runs.
As of Thursday morning, their offense ranks 29th in the Majors with 124.
Cleveland's lineup may need more power for the postseason, and one of the organization's top prospects could help.
Remarkably, first baseman Ralphy Velazquez has hit 14 home runs in August at Triple-A Columbus. He is ranked as the Guardians' No. 2 prospect on MLB Pipeline.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote that Velazquez is an obvious September call-up for the Guardians.
"Over 18 games at the Triple-A level in August, Ralphy Velazquez is hitting .371/.438/.986 with 14 home runs and 27 RBI," Reuter wrote. "What more really needs to be said about his MLB readiness?"
Velazquez could replace trade deadline acquisition Nathaniel Lowe at first base. Rhys Hoskins is currently on the injured list, and Kyle Manzardo is also at Triple-A.
But there are a few factors that could keep Velazquez in the minors.
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"The Guardians have reasons not to promote him to the big leagues this year. He’s only 21. His addition to the 40-man roster would prevent him from playing minor-league ball during a potential lockout," The Athletic's Zack Meisel wrote Tuesday. "He’d either have to play left field, where he has limited experience, or serve as the designated hitter, a spot [Jose] Ramírez, [Chase] DeLauter and [Jo] Adell have been sharing."
While Velazquez is tearing the cover off the ball against Triple-A pitching, the Guardians risk his long-term development if they call him up now.
The Guardians are faced with a very difficult question.
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